1995 Neoplan An440 Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V298000
Manufacturer: NEOPLAN USA CORPORATION
Manufactured Begin Date: May 18th, 1995
Manufactured End Date: November 6th, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: November 30th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS L-10 ENGINES AND NELSON CATALYSTS AND SOLD TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE CATALYST CAN EXPERIENCE HIGH TEMPERATURES, WHICH COULD BE CAUSED FROM UNBURNED METHANE IGNITING INSIDE THE CATALYST BRICK.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN EXTREME OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYST AND COULD CAUSE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMBUSTIBLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CATALYST.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND POSITIONING; INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE FIBERGLASS HOLE SURROUNDING THE TAIL PIPE, REMOVE A RUBBER AIR INLET BOOT THAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYST; REPLACE THE FLEX PIPE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND ADD A BLANKET AROUND THE CATALYST TO PROVIDE ADDED INSULATION.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION HAS BEGAN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NEOPLAN AT 1-719-336-3256.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V182000
Manufacturer: NEOPLAN USA CORPORATION
Date of Owner Notification: September 30th, 1996

Defect Summary:
THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS SUPPLIED BY EDO CANADA. THE FUEL CYLINDER STRAPS EXPAND WHEN TANKS ARE PRESSURIZED CAUSING BRACKETS TO BREAK THE MOUNTING HARDWARE.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE CYLINDER TO FALL INCREASING THE RISK OF EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
A NEW STRAP WITH ELASTOMERIC SPRINGS THAT WILL ALLOW THE STRAP TO EXPAND WITH THE TANK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION HAS BEEN STARTED.ONLY LOS ANGELES AND MASSPORT TRANSIT SYSTEMS ARE INVOLVED.NOTE:OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED STRAPS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FREE OF CHARGE SHOULD CONTACT EDO CANADA AT .................. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V183000
Manufacturer: NEOPLAN USA CORPORATION
Date of Owner Notification: September 19th, 1996

Defect Summary:
THE TYPE 4 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANK SUPPLIED BY EDO CANADA CAN RUPTURE DURING FUELING.

Consequence Summary:
RUPTURE OF A CNG FUEL TANK CAN CAUSE CNG LEAKAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

Corrective Summary:
EACH TANK IS BEING VISUALLY INSPECTED, ASSISTED BY DYE PENETRANT AND RESONANCE TESTED. A DETECTION SHIELD IS PLACED UNDER EACH PAIR OF TANKS, UNDER THE BUS, TO PROVIDE EASE OF INSPECTION FOR ANY DAMAGE. ANY DAMAGED TANK WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NEOPLAN AT 1-719-336-3256.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95V188001
Manufacturer: NEOPLAN USA CORPORATION
Manufactured Begin Date: June 1st, 1992
Manufactured End Date: July 1st, 1994
Date of Owner Notification: December 15th, 1995

Defect Summary:
SOME TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE TRIGGERS WERE NOT X-RAYED. THESE TRIGGERS COULD CONTAIN INTERNAL VOIDS THAT WOULD MAKE THE TRIGGERS SUSCEPTIBLE TO ADVANCED CREEP CAUSING FALSE ACTIVATION AND VENTING OF THE CNG.

Consequence Summary:
VENTING OF THE CNG COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
NEOPLAN WILL REPLACE THE PRD WITH THE NEWER DESIGN "GENERATION 2.5" PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL; CNG; PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES/DEVICES (PRD).VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS POWERED TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH LINCOLN COMPOSITE CNG FUEL CONTAINERS WHICH INCORPORATE MIRADA TYPE IIIPRESSURE RELIEF VALVES. (SEE MIRADA CAMPAIGN 95E025 AND LINCOLN COMPOSITE CAMPAIGN 95E025003).NOTE: IF THE VALVES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FREE OF CHARGE, PLEASE CONTACT NEOPLAN AT 1-719-336-3256.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.